Guide to Wine Podcast: Episode 102

Redefining Wine Culture with Tyler Balliet of Rebel School of Wine (Part 1)

Air Date: Wednesday, April 30th, 2025

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How does someone from a beer-loving Wisconsin family end up creating a massive Rosé-themed wine playground in New York City? As well as writing a wine-themed book that is challenging the wine status quo?

Today’s guest, author Tyler Balliet, is sharing her journey on how she’s helping to reshape the wine industry with events like Rosé Mansion and Wine Riot, as well as her inspiration behind her book, Rebel School of Wine. We also dig into the heart of what’s wrong with how wine is traditionally taught - think too pretentious, too focused on technical details, and not nearly welcoming (or fun) enough!

Tyler Balliet is an entrepreneur and journalist who’s been reshaping how people experience wine since 2006. She co-founded Rosé Mansion, a massive rosé-themed wine playground in NYC that drew 225,000 visitors, and Wine Riot, a touring wine festival with 150,000 attendees. Named Inc. Magazine’s 30 Under 30 and Wine Enthusiast’s 40 Under 40, Tyler has judged international wine competitions, explored wine regions around the world, and been featured on Good Morning America, CNN and The New York Times. Her new book, Rebel School of Wine, is a bold, visually-driven manifesto for a new generation of wine drinkers.

So, if you are ready to break free from stuffy wine stereotypes and lean into Tyler’s take on why wine education should be about fun, stories, and people, then this episode is for you!

This is part 1 of my interview with Tyler so make sure you check out part 2 in episode 103!

Connect with Tyler
Website: https://rebelschoolofwine.com/
Instagram: @tylerballiet
Instagram: @rebelschoolofwine 

Resources
Go to rebelschoolofwine.com and use the promo code CORKANDFIZZ to get a signed copy of Tyler’s book and a free pack of wine stickers for only $30. That's $15 off!

Codeword: Listen to the episode to discover the code word and DM me on Instagram or email me at [email protected] for your chance to win a copy of Rebel School of Wine!

Episode Highlights:

• Tyler Balliet’s wine journey
• Origin of the Wine Riot
• Concept and inspiration for Rose Mansion
• Inspiration behind Tyler’s Rebel School of Wine book
• Tyler’s focus on the “why” and “who” behind wine and not just the “what”
• Exploring wine through people and culture
• Tyler’s frustration with technical, flavor/aroma-focused language
• The disconnect between how wine professionals and consumers experience wine
• The cultural shift needed in wine
• Challenges for the wine industry and younger generations
• Importance of making wine enjoyable and inclusive

Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide!  - https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide

Have you Joined the Cork Crew?!
The Cork Crew Tasting Club is a community of people that enjoy drinking and learning about wine. It's like a book club...but with wine! Each month I’ll select two styles of wine for us to focus on. We’ll then have a virtual tasting party to explore those wines along with a community event to learn from professionals in the wine community.

Click the link below to get a FREE pass to attend a Cork Crew event of your choosing!
https://www.corkandfizz.com/freeclasspass

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - [email protected]